No rider knew more fame or drew larger crowds of adoring spectators in the early 1900s than Indianapolis' own Marshall "Major" Taylor. As early as 1901, the amazing sprinter took first place finishes in cycling races while touring the United States, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Often drawing crowds topping 30,000, he proved good on his claim of being the fastest man in the world in more than 40 international competitions.

This Saturday, the Mass Ave Criterium in downtown Indianapolis provides yet another opportunity to watch some of the best competitive cyclists in the tradition of Major Taylor, for whom the city's velodrome is named after. And while there are races throughout the day, featuring riders of different ages and abilities, the one that is certain to bring the largest number of spectators, as well as the fastest racing and most nail-biting moments, is the final race of the day: a 25-mile, 60-minute criterium between nearly 50 elite competitors, each with the determination and capability to win.

While the velodrome is a venue for track racing, which is primarily about speed, criterium races are a type of road race, typically through city streets, that add the challenge of repeated tight turns to the circular course and prevent speed from dominating entirely.

In a criterium it is as much about how deftly a cyclist handles a bike that determines the winner, as it power and speed. For a rider to complete a criterium circuit, with its technical turns and sharp corners, he or she must not only stay upright and stay up front, but the bike-handling skills necessary to know when to slow down coming into a corner, when to accelerate coming out of it, and how to avoid crashing into the five or six other riders taking the turn at 20-30 mph alongside of you is crucial. Most importantly, the rider also has to conserve enough energy for what is certain to be a powerful 30-40 mph flat-out sprint to the finish.

The one to beat

Local rider Chad Burdzilauskas was up to the challenge when he took first place in last year's Mass Ave race and hopes to top the podium again in 2009. For several years now, Burdzilauskas has been the fastest kid on the block; as well as a consistent winner. He knows how to read a race, when to create or chase a break, and his sprinting skills make him tough to beat when, and if, he's positioned himself well for the finish.

"This is one of my favorite races," he says about the Mass Ave Criterium. "I love that it's downtown, and I love racing against these guys. They're some of the best.

"But I can still beat 'em," he says with a laugh.

And while he is putting on a bit of bravado, he's not bragging out of turn.

Last year's Mass Ave Crit win for Burdzilauskas came just a few weeks after winning the Masters National Criterium Championships (ages 30-34). Other first place 2008 USA Cycling wins included Richton Superweek, Indiana Race series Omnium, Eagle Creek Criterium and Troy (Ohio) Criterium.

With those, and a host of other podium finishes in 2008, Burdzilauskas was offered a spot on the Kenda-Spinergy Pro Team and has spent this season competing all over the country against some of the strongest teams and riders in the world. He's raced well during this first season with Kenda, but running with the slightly bigger dogs has kept him out of first place more than he's used to.

That's not to say he hasn't had some impressive races. At the Superweek Pro Tour Criterium in early July, he took second place; fifth at the Chicago Criterium two weeks ago; as well as nearly a dozen other top 10 finishes so far in 2009. Repeating his Mass Ave victory this Saturday and adding to his trophy collection won't come easily, however.

The competition

While his competition so far this year has been stellar, other local riders would like nothing more than to rob Burdzilauskas of the opportunity to cross the finish line first and the bragging rights that come with winning Indy's premier USA Cycling event. Two Indianapolis riders in particular, John Puffer and Aaron Hubbell, are what most likely stand between him and victory on Saturday.

Burdzilauskas and Puffer rode together as part of the Texas Roadhouse team last year, and Roadhouse will most likely show up in big numbers to help Puffer to first place on Saturday -- a luxury and advantage Burdzilauskas won't have, as most of his Kenda teammates are sitting this race out in preparation for the Pro National Road Championships the next day.

Like Puffer, Hubbell will also be racing with the help of his team, NUVO/Cultural Trail, the same team that helped him capture first place at the State Criterium Championships in Bloomington last month. Hubbell is a big fan of criterium races, and he also likes winning on what he considers "home turf."

"The NUVO/Cultural Trail team feels a sense of ownership of [the State Criterium Championships]," Hubbell said after his victory." We won it twice in the last five years. We have several Little 500 winners from the Cutters on the team, as well as IU alum. In our pre-race meeting, I asserted that we were going to win this race or fail colossally trying -- no second places."

So far this season, Hubbell has also had a good number of top 10 finishes. Racing at the highest level of amateur competition, in the Category 1 class, Hubbell has competed fewer times than Burdzilauskas and other pro riders this summer, but has had many top 10 finishes against tough competition, including seventh place at the Chicago Criterium in late July.

There's no doubt the NUVO/Cultural Trail Team feels a sense of ownership over the Mass Ave Crit, as well. And it's not just Hubbell who poses a threat from NUVO/Cultural Trail to Burdzilauskas and the other riders on Saturday. With six team members finishing in the top 10 at the state championships, any one of them is capable of winning, including Andrzej Banaskiewicz, Declan Doyle, Ben Weaver and Erik Hamilton.

Strong competition is also expected from Marian College riders, which is like a factory producing the country's premier cyclists these days. Though they all ride for different amateur teams outside of NCAA racing, Marian riders benefit from the coaching of local cycling legend Dean Peterson, who is expected to race with them at Mass Ave. In addition to Marian alums Hubbell, Doyle and Hamilton who, among others, now ride for NUVO/Cultural Trail, the current collegiate team is expected to be well represented. Current Marian riders Rob Bush, with Texas Roadhouse, and NUVO/Cultural Trail cyclist Adam Lewbovitz are both young collegiate riders with the potential to provide an upset.

For his part, Burdzilauskas is looking forward to a fun and friendly race with some serious competitors.

"My biggest nightmare," he says about his chances of winning the race again this year, "is having to sprint to the finish against Aaron and Puffer. They are both really good sprinters and both have kicked my butt plenty of times before."

"But I can still beat 'em," he brags again, and with more laughter adds, "Make sure you put that it in there!"

RACE INFORMATION

What: 2009 Mass Ave Criterium

When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Start/Finish Line: 435 Massachusetts Ave.

Race headquarters

Cyclists wanting to register for any of the races should check in at the race headquarters located at the Athenaeum and Rathskeller Restaurant & Beirgarten, 401 E. Michigan St. Race registration along with information and booths from local cycling vendors and Criterium sponsors will be hanging out here, alongside the fine folks from New Belgium Brewing who will be handing out samples of Fat Tire. Not coincidentally, this will also be where most of the NUVO staff will be hanging out prior to relocating to the Biergarten for the after-party.

Race watching:

Massachusetts Avenue is one of the most vibrant and pedestrian-friendly districts of the city. Other than your bed, there's no better place to spend a summer Saturday. Shops and restaurants will keep regular business hours during the races, but parking will be diverted along the course. If you aren't racing or hanging out by the free Fat Tire sample booth, you should try to nab a spot outside at Old Point Tavern (for those who want their beer in a glass), Starbucks (for those who drank too much the night before) or bring a blanket and stake out some greenspace (for those who bring their own). There are also a good number of benches from which to comfortably watch the athletes compete, as well as bleachers at the Start/Finish line.

Post-Race Party in the Biergarten:

Closing ceremonies and a post-race celebration begin in the Biergarten of the Rathskeller at 2 p.m. Whether you were able to watch the races or not, everyone is welcome for the awards, brats, beers and live bands. Oh, and we hear Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will be there to hand out the medals! See www.rathskeller.com for band listings and more information on the party.

Race Schedule

8 a.m. Men's Category 3 (50 minutes + two laps) Prizes: $600

9 a.m. Men's Categories 4 & 5 (40 minutes + two laps) Prizes: $450

9:50 a.m. Men's Masters 45+ (40 minutes + three laps) Prizes: $450

10:50 a.m. Men's Masters 35+ (50 minutes + two laps) Prizes: $500

11:40 a.m. Women Open (35 minutes + two laps) Prizes: $250

12:25 p.m. Kids Race, 10 minutes (Free: no registration fee)

12:40 p.m . Men's Pro/Categories 1 and 2 (60 minutes + three laps) Prizes: $1,999

2 p.m. Closing ceremonies at Rathskellar Biergarten

Riders who do not hold a USA Cycling license may compete in the Masters, Women's Open, and Category 5 races, but must pay a $10 fee for a one-day race license.

Kids Rodeo: From 9:30-11 a.m., kids of all ages can ride obstacle courses provided by Bicycle Indiana. Free helmets will be given away while supplies last.

Pedal and Park: If you take your own two-wheels down to Massachusetts Avenue on Saturday, Pedal and Park will be on hand to keep it safe for you while you watch the races. Facilities will be located near the Athenaeum and Rathskeller, at the race Start/Finish line.

What is a criterium

The most common type of cycling race in the United States, criteriums are typically held on a 2-5 km course through closed-off city streets and set up according to the time raced, not distance covered. In Saturday's main event, the race is 60 minutes, plus three additional laps.

Bragging rights aren't the only thing at stake in a bike race; the boys (and girls) are also racing for cash. In addition to placing at the top, primes (pronounced "preems") are also given out at various points in a race. Listen for the bell and the announcer to declare a particular lap worth some cash (and then look for the riders to bump it up a notch, speed-wise, on the next lap).

To win a criterium, riders have to be able to stay upright, stay up front and save enough energy for the inevitable sprint for the finish. The real trick, however, is taking the corners smoothly. Speeds up until the final laps will average 25-30 mph, which means the riders will complete between 25 and 30 total laps. Expect a sprint for the finish that will come close to 45 mph.

While all the riders will leave the starting line together, within a few laps of each race you're likely to see two bunches: the peloton (or pack), which is the main group, and the breakaway, which will be the scrappy ones trying to put some distance on everyone else and create a gap by launching an attack on the field. Eventually, this break will begin to lap the riders at the back (who will then be out of the race before its completion).

Towards the end, any riders who have managed to stay out front will get challenged by those who opted to stay in the pack and conserve energy. Once the 60-minute bell rings indicating three laps remaining, winning means being at the front in order place. This is when teams will launch their sprinters like Aaron Hubbell, John Puffer and Chad Burdzilauskas, and it's going to come down to the rider who has the ability to accelerate immediately and then propel himself to a win at precisely the moment when no one else can or will.

Riders to watch for

Riders to watch for:

Bri Kovac

(ABC Cycling)

(Women's Open // Category 1)

Kovac came to racing via Indiana University and the Little 500, where she set both the Individual Time Trial record and the Team Pursuit record. She won national championships in the Individual Pursuit and the Team Sprint (with teammate Pam Loebig) at collegiate nationals in 2006, and winning the Louisville Metro Police Foundation NRC race in 2008. This year she's taken the podium a few times, including at Eagle Creek, Winona and in track races at the Major Taylor Velodrome as part of their Hot Summer Nights racing series.

Harry Clark

(ABC Cycling)

(Masters 35+)

A long-time member of the Roadhouse Team, Clark recently joined ABC Cycling and has seen quite a few finishes this year racing at the Masters level, including 2nd place in the Quad Cities Crit earlier this year and 3rd place in the Warsaw Downtown Crit just a few weeks ago. The 36 year-old is also the 2002 Hoosier Cup Champion as well as the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Indiana Race Series Champion.

Dean Peterson

(Unattached)

(Masters 35+)

Dean is a Masters and Category 1 cyclist who has raced throughout the United States, in Cuba for the 2002 Pan Am Masters Games and in Bermuda for the 2005 Grand Prix. He has worked for VéloSport at the Tour de France for 3 years as a guide and tour manager. Dean currently coaches the Marion College Cycling Team and runs DAPGEAR Coaching Services for novice cyclists and enthusiasts.

Chad Burdzilauskas

(Kenda-Spinergy)

(Men's Pro/Category 1 and 2)

The 2008 Masters National Criterium Champion, Burdzilauskas traded his Texas Roadhouse jersey for a Kenda one since winning the Mass Ave Criterium last year, and has a solid racing season thus far. At the Superweek Pro Tour Criterium in early July, he took second place; fifth at the Chicago Criterium two weeks ago; as well as nearly a dozen other top 10 finishes.

Erik Hamilton

(NUVO/Cultural Trail)

(Men's Pro/Category 1 and 2)

Looking to break the "always a bridesmaid" curse, Hamilton will be gunning for a first place finish after a superior season of 2nd and 3rd places on the podium. With at least eight-near misses since the Spring, including great racing in criteriums at Norton's Commons, Eagle Creek, Fort Wayne and Bloomington thus far in 2009, Hamilton may be the dark horse who slips by Puffer and Burdzilauskas if he manages to be part of any break at the finish.

Aaron Hubbell

(NUVO/Cultural Trail)

(Men's Pro/Category 1 and 2)

Hubbell won the Indiana State Criterium Championships earlier this summer, and he's had a good number of top 10 finishes including seventh place at the Chicago Criterium in late July. With the help of his team, Hubbell is the one to beat if the race comes down to a field sprint for the finish and he's able to thwart any attempts a a break.

John Puffer

(Texas Roadhouse)

(Men's Pro/Category 1 and 2)

Currently the Masters Road Champion (Ages 35-39), Puffer has had several podium finishes in pro races this summer, including the Cob Park Criterium and Burlington Road Race. Known for having the strength and strategy to launch well-timed breaks, Puffer is a strong sprinter with excellent bike-handling skills likely to serve him well as the leaders come out of the final turn — particularly if he and a handful of others, like Burdzilauskas and Hamilton, have managed to break away from the field.

Disclosure: There are a whole slew of sponsors for this event, including NUVO and our cycling partner, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, as title sponsors. Many thanks to the other individuals and organizations who are supporting the 2009 Mass Ave Criterium, including MaMa, Rathskeller, Pedal and Park, Indiana Bicycle Coalition, Ciba, ICVA, Fringe Festival, Mass Ave Cultural District, YMCA, Athenaeum and the Indianapolis Foundation and many corporate sponsors.